Former Pe Ell coach faces charge of third-degree rape of teenage student

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Todd D. Phelps, left, passes defense attorney Bob Schroeter as he leaves the courtroom in Chehalis.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter


CHEHALIS – A now-former softball coach at Pe Ell High School went before a judge this afternoon to face an additional charge in connection with alleged sexual contacts with a 16-year-old player on the girls’ team.

Todd D. Phelps, 52, of Pe Ell, is charged with third-degree rape now as well as second-degree sexual misconduct with a minor.

The new count followed further investigation of an incident that allegedly occurred in July in which the girl said Phelps asked her to meet him at his brother’s Pe Ell residence to discuss cuts to her legs and asked her to lower her pants, according to charging documents.

Charging documents allege he kissed her, touched her and suggested more, and she said told him, “No, please don’t.” They engaged in sex and she said “she was very scared and just wanted it to be over,” charging documents allege.

Phelps resigned at the end of April after two years as an assistant coach. His resignation was because of a violation of school policy regarding social contact with students, according to the school district superintendent.

He was summoned into Lewis County Superior Court today where Judge Richard Brosey said he could remain free if he signed a $25,000 unsecured appearance bond.

Phelps was scheduled to return to court Dec. 8 to make his plea.

Phelps was arrested last month following the report about two incidents made in September to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

At the time, he was charged only with second-degree sexual misconduct with a minor in connection with an April 2 encounter with the girl. On that day, according to charging documents, he had asked her to stop by his house and asked her to take off her pants so he could see some cuts on her legs.

She told a deputy Phelps began hugging her, pulled her into his lap and kissed her.

She described her relationship to him as that of a student and coach, and as part of a “second family,” charging documents state.

Third-degree rape carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Second-degree sexual misconduct with a minor is a gross misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail.

If convicted, Phelps would be required to register as a sex offender.

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173 Responses to “Former Pe Ell coach faces charge of third-degree rape of teenage student”

  1. Nicole says:

    Yikes!! I very clearly said everyone was entitled to their own opinion, I thought that included me? I was making suggestions, I wasn’t trying to personally attack anyone. But those who respond negatively usually feel everyone is speaking directly to them. I also should say that I am Nicole Ward (Faure) I am stating who I am because I am not ashamed or embarrassed of my thoughts or comments. I think it’s weird and strange for those of you hide behind anonymity. There is a reason I don’t usually reply to these duscussion boards, I’ve learned my lesson. Go on arguing and continue with all of your bitter remarks to anonymous people. I am sure you are making a huge difference. I honestly don’t feel this is a healthy way to deal with things, so I will not be participating any longer. If anyone has anything to say to me personally, go ahead and do so as I told you who I am.

  2. Nicole says:

    Yikes!! I very clearly said everyone was entitled to their own opinion, I thought that included me? I also should say that I am Nicole Ward (Faure). I think it’s weird and strange for those of you hide behind anonymity. There is a reason I don’t usually reply to these duscussion boards, I’ve learned my lesson. Go on arguing and continue with all of your bitter remarks to anonymous people. I am sure you are making a huge difference.

  3. use your brain says:

    I don’t think you get extra points here or in life for posting for the first time or only one time.

  4. justiceforall says:

    I think most of us know enough about the case and understand some incidents were reported to the parents and church. But why was Todd secretly corresponding and meeting with her on other occasions? Why was he not reporting all the contacts to the proper people?

    Why do you care Nicole whether people post on this site? How do you know if personally approaching this family is the best way to show support? Maybe your opinion and arguments are just as obnoxious as our’s. We do want to argue our points and pick each other apart because that is what we are doing.

    This whole business of not making judgments thing is just a bunch of crap. It doesn’t make you look as pious and righteous as you think. Although I detest the use of bible references because it also contains a kind of moral superiority I detest, letsgetreal points out that one should not judge others hypocritically. When you are making a judgment about others posting while making a post of your opinion that is argumentative and judgmental just like the rest of us you are really insulting yourself like a buffoon who needs to go take a walk yourself.

  5. Amoeba says:

    I know I said I was done posting,but wait 24’s referece to Abigail Williams cojoured a possible eleventh hour strategy for the defense, that was too good not to put forth.

    At this Sundays church service the defendant should drop to the floor, writhing about, speaking in tongues,researching some Latin phrases would be a nice touch, snarling and gurgling in a deep laconic voice,( any use of vomitus or defecation is a personal call left to the individual).
    Church officials pronounce him under daemonical possession, and must undergo immediate Exorcism, and it is critical he not be moved off consecrated ground for the duration of the Ritual.

    After some time, I dunno, maybe three or four weeks he is vanquished of the diabolical forces, emerging in a state of Beatitude, remembering nothing of the past fifteen years. Attending church officials can testify, that it was revealed during The Ordeal, he had been under Daemonic
    obbsession for as many years, thus any acts carried out were not of his own will,but from forces beyond his control, and any legal trespass should be expunged.

    Yes, I know I’m an awful person…..but hey, it’s worth a shot.

  6. JustWait24 says:

    Lack of response has something to do with us having lives and not being attached to the computer 24/7. Your opinion isn’t so important to me that I HAVE to check every few minutes for a response.

    I will not relinquish my position on standing up for Todd, and will be there to see this through in the end. Obviously the ones left still arguing are her family and they are going to follow this girl to the depths of hell to prove she is right so there will be no reasoning with that group of people.

    Arguing to make you see the man behind the veil she has put over your eyes is exhausting and I actually have a life and day job that require my attention.
    I’m actually glad to see that she has such a stubborn support system, she’s going to need it.

    The trial starts on the 21st, so I guess we will all Just Wait.

    And I apologize for the out of context Bible verse. I wanted to convey the damning judgment of another is not our place.

    Oh, P.S. SpeakUp,
    I’m honored that you think I’m part of the Phelps’ family. : )

  7. Nicole says:

    I have heard about this situation, but I am reading these posts for the first time. My heart goes out to the families involved. There are exactly 2 people who know the absolute and definite truth. Whatever happened or did not happen cannot be changed or fixed by everyone that seems to state their so called facts, quote more bible verses than the last person, or even analyze & judge either of the parties involved. It seems like a lot of you just want to argue with eachother and pick eachother a part. I’m just confused on how that is helping this situation, helping the families or helping this small community. You all have the right to your own opinion and the free will to choose “sides” but I really don’t think that is what is going on. If you know and care about the girl involved then I would think you could let her and her family know personally and offer your support to them, instead of ranting on the internet and stating your so called facts and worst of all picking apart spelling errors. All of those things lead me to believe you couldn’t care less about the situation, you just like to argue and prove points. If you people have issues take them up somewhere else, don’t use this unfortunate situation to get your anger out….my goodness, go for a walk!!! If you know and care for the man involved then I would suggest you let him and his family know personally as well. I understand that there are two sides to every story, and most of the time those two sides differ, it does not mean someone is lying or someone is telling the truth….it usually means the situation and circumstances are viewed differently by the people involved. I would like to say I am thinking about and praying for both the families. Also I pray that the community can give support to eachother in a positive way. There is a reason this is being handled in a courtroom, because it is not up to the community to gather facts and decide what happened or didn’t happen.

  8. RaginCajun says:

    The lack of rationale and the ability to see the point of letting the justice system do its good work is truly exhausting with the mental capacity of this group. I just don’t see you folks “getting it”.

    ANYWAY

    The alleged victims parents WERE involved. Face to face meetings in fact.

    The school super and nurse WERE also involved/informed.

    The alleged victims parents on multiple occasions had to retrieve the alleged vicitm from the alleged perps house after a call that she arrived un-announced….allegedly.

    Somewhere in this story, if you keep looking deep enough, there will be much more to it.

    Next Tuesday, the justice system will commence with presenting the facts as they have collected.

    Now you folks go on and have a SUPER NICE DAY…..YA BIG DUMMIES 🙂

  9. Bugsy says:

    I am amazed at the lack of response to my question !!!

    Imagine that?

    Must have something to do with the Truth and Firewood!

  10. Bugsy says:

    You wont here a reasonable answer from Cajun or “24”, as they don’t respond to a question that is reasonable to the normal person,,, We shall see!

  11. letsgetreal says:

    I’m sorry, but I hate it when people only use on verse out of the bible. If you’re gonna quot the bible then you need to look at it as a whole. NOT just one verse.
    This is an issue that has confused many people. On one hand, we are commanded by the Lord Jesus, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (Matthew 7:1). On the other hand, the Bible also exhorts us to beware of evildoers and false prophets and to avoid those who practice all kinds of evil. How are we to discern who these people are if we do not make some kind of judgment about them?

    Christians are often accused of “judging” whenever they speak out against a sinful activity. However, that is not the meaning of the Scripture verses that state, “Do not judge.” There is a righteous kind of judgment we are supposed to exercise—with careful discernment (John 7:24). When Jesus told us not to judge (Matthew 7:1), He was telling us not to judge hypocritically. Matthew 7:2-5 declares, “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” What Jesus was condemning here was hypocritical, self-righteous judgments of others.

    In Matthew 7:2-5, Jesus warns against judging someone else for his sin when you yourself are sinning even worse. That is the kind of judging Jesus commanded us not to do. If a believer sees another believer sinning, it is his Christian duty to lovingly and respectfully confront the person with his sin (Matthew 18:15-17). This is not judging, but rather pointing out the truth in hope—and with the ultimate goal—of bringing repentance in the other person (James 5:20) and restoration to the fellowship. We are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). We are to proclaim what God’s Word says about sin. 2 Timothy 4:2 instructs us, “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction.” We are to “judge” sin, but always with the goal of presenting the solution for sin and its consequences—the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6).

  12. justiceforall-den says:

    Excellent question Bugsy. I would like hear the answer. I also want to know why he used her email account to communicate. Why the secrecy. That is a cinch to prove.

  13. Bugsy says:

    I am still wondering, and I am sure some will respond, WHY Todd continued to contact this girl after he was told NOT too, and why didn’t he CONTACT the Parents in the beginning, in the middle and at the end……

    What was his reasoning to keep this contact secret? His position as a Coach required him to report it.

    Can anyone tell me why he kept it too himself?

  14. SpeakUp says:

    I would love to give you examples of things he said that I have heard but it really is not necessary or appropriate to say such things to one of Todd’s offspring, it would in fact be perverse. (perverse in short means inappropriate.) I am a very light hearted easy going person, I like to joke around just as much as anybody BUT I have a filter & I use it. As far as sweeping things under the rug, lets just say you all have a small leak in that big brick fortress of protection you guys lend to the clan whenever one of you is in hot water! Let’s just hope all witnesses tell the truth, the whole truth & nothing but the truth!

  15. justiceforall-den says:

    JustWait24 would it really matter if you were given examples of Todd’s poor character and behavior? Wouldn’t you just call them liars followed by another annoying bible verse? Or even more annoying say everyone takes his humor and intentions the wrong way.
    You already have examples in news stories and charging documents and it is still not enough for you to seriously question this man. That’s scary to me. Even if you take out the sexual contact with this sixteen year old girl his behavior was wrong. May not be criminal but not okay. That’s what I am judging and the court has the authority to judge the rest. But I don’t want this man around any young women I know.

  16. JustWait24 says:

    I’m sorry SpeakUp, what has his family done to sweep it under the rug?
    And you have no idea what was said in text messages, what the witnesses will say if it’s crediable, and I’m sure the supporting evidence will amount to a whole lot of nothing.
    And as being one of the “most perverse men I have ever met” please give examples of a time you felt his actions were inappropriote. If you knew anything about this man then you would know more then half the stuff he says is to get a reaction out of people. Reactions such as humor and lightheartedness! Insinuated perversion to one is humor to another. It all depends on your perception. I have never witnessed, nor heard, of this man acting in a perverse manner like he is being accused of. Furthermore, if he did offend someone and they spoke up, I’m certain he would stop.

    Judgmental, With the “Innocent until proven guilty” both sides should be analyzed with the utmost scrutiny. Because we long to protect our children so much we don’t think of the possibilty they could be the ones lying? If you want to throw out the entire court system for our children then I say go for it; as long as when it is found that they lied, or presented false information, they be punished for every dime they cost and damaging word they threw at the accused.

    ‘Use your brain’, if it’s not ok the demonize and alleged “victim” why is ok for everyone else to demonize Todd? (the alleged perp) I waited to get involved in this forum until now because I finally go over being physically sick every time I read these comments that are purely conjecture and opinion.
    And why bring God into this debate! I think we are all pretty clear on his position when it comes to people condeming each other!!
    MATTHEW 7:1-5:
    “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull the mote out of thine eye; and behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”

  17. justiceforall-den says:

    Looks like there’s another motion hearing for tomorrow. Not another stall tactic.

  18. use your brain says:

    Agreed…….. I’ll be Judgemental and SpeakUp

  19. I'll be Judgmental says:

    Yes, our law says “Innocent until Proven Guilty” but when it comes to our children perhaps we shouldn’t be so quick to do so. Accused of stealing a car isn’t the same as stealing someone’s innocence. Sandusky and Powell come to mind. It is the parent’s job to protect and defend the U18 crowd.

  20. SpeakUp says:

    People use screen names for 2 reasons.
    1. Is because they don’t respect themselves enough nor are they brave enough to stand behind what that say! (or they are related)
    2. Because there are other people involved that do not deserve to be hurt any more then they already have. This little community has already been torn up enough with this disgusting situation.

    There are at least 2 people on here that are 100% sure he is telling the truth….even though the facts do not point to that. I am amazed that because a person does a few good deeds means that all the cell phone records, witnesseses and other supporting evidence should be null & void. It also amazes me what some of his family is willing to do & sweep under the rug in order to “help” him out.

    I have known Mr. Phelps for years and yes he might haul a load a wood for a needy family or help put a roof on BUT he is one of the most perverse men I have ever met.

    I have said it before & will say it again – There is only one judgment day that will matter! Here on earth we can just hope justice is served.

  21. use your brain says:

    I think you have a point Kelli. But you are forgetting that we all likely comment here because our lives are impacted by what happened and what will happen in the future. As I have pointed out on previous posts this type of scenario is not new to people in Pe Ell but a family standing up for their daughter to seek justice for this type of abuse is new for that town. You can tell from the posts…. lots of victim bashing sessions and making irrational excuses for Todd. That is one of the reasons I started to post. I want the family to know that I care and what is being said is not okay with me. The outcome of this trial will affect more than two people it affects their families and the whole community. Whether Todd is convicted of rape or not, how he behaves is and was wrong and that is based on solid fact. I will post and complain and fight for awareness on this subject to my dying day. Almost everyone in the town is related in some way and those relationships impact everyone’s lives from the city council, school board, and community activities. The young women’s lives who are lured into these scenarios are highly impacted in a negative way. I watched it happen to my girlfriends when I was younger. They get labeled and shunned and that is just the tip of the iceberg. The men on the other hand just go on as business as usual. No one says or does much to them because if you do they may end up fighting half or ¾ of the town by doing so. There are people who absolutely do not want to believe that men who go to church and who are in charge of our children act this way and those town’s people do not care who they hurt in order to not believe it.
    I cannot tell you how much it makes me sick to my stomach to read posts from people who demonize the young woman and try to spew moral superiority and righteousness in defense of Todd because he belongs to a church and used his wife and a needy family to cover up his power play of driving by the young woman’s house. Especially when you know the addresses and know there is another route. It is just sad. I am also disturbed by those who claim to be “friends” of the the young girls family but try and shame everyone into being quiet because of Todd’s family. I understand that they have emotions about Todd’s relatives being hurt but it is not okay with many of us to let victim bashing and ignorance go unanswered. It is so strange, but typical, they wait until Todd is being vilified before they hop into the conversation. It is just nonsense for those who say, do not judge, only God can judge, it’s not your business, do you talk to the family, YOU BIG DUMMY. For the love of God. Every verse in the bible is not an absolute. It is a book full of extremes and how to find balance. If it wasn’t we would still be stoning people and especially woman for this kind of thing. But with that in mind even people who stand with Todd have a right, just like I do, to rant. It is through this ranting that we shape our beliefs and opinions and regardless if they do not change very often there is an opportunity for growth. This type of thing will happen again and again because of human nature but how we all choose to rally around the brave who take a stand makes a difference in whether other’s will come forward in the future. I will not have staying silent on my conscious.

  22. Kelli Green says:

    Seems to me like none of you have lives. Sitting around commenting on a story that has nothing to do with you. And you cant even do so with real names. EVERYONE IN THIS CASE IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.

  23. justiceforall-den says:

    know

  24. RaginCajun says:

    Well, I find nothing impressive about you. Perhaps your name should be “JusticeforAll-Den”? Your post are still dripping with the verdict of guilty prior to a due fair trial.
    I can keep going with sarcasm all day if you like.

  25. JustWait24 says:

    BTW Bug,

    Why else would you space out a sentance like that if you weren’t putting emphasis on it for a reason?
    If you don’t understand that by now get your aging troll self off the internet…

  26. JustWait24 says:

    Ugh you people are infuriating. We can beat you over the head with truth and facts and try to invoke thoughful, researched responses and you give us nothing.

    And if the supporters for her are demstrated here they we can see they will believe anything a child says without a shred of truth. Turns out Abigail Williams was lying too, look what happened there.

    And serioulsy ‘justiceforall’ slow down and spell check your comments.

  27. justiceforall says:

    Wow and you’re a grammer guru too. Impressive. I can almost beleive you didn’t graduate from the big city, but not quite.

  28. RaginCajun says:

    Singular….”DUMMY”….and I can’t get good wi fi in my big garage and my big boy friends have to go to bed at 8. 🙂

  29. justiceforall says:

    I guess you got me Ragin. I am nothing but a BIG DUMMIE and a restroom lawyer that types too fast to catch my spelling errors. I am glad you can at least spell. Good job buddy. Isn’t it about time for you to head out to that big boy garage of yours and play with your other big boy friends.

  30. justiceforall says:

    That is how these things typically unfold. Maybe all offers are off the table and I am talking out of turn.

  31. RaginCajun says:

    “intelegence” and “testment”…..speaking of which….INTELLIGENCE and TESTAMENT

    May want to pull that mirror out and have a look.

    LOL

    And yes indeed, let the court decide. We will all know soon enough.

  32. Bugsy says:

    Pray tell Justice for all, is that what the subpenoes was issued for was a Plea Deal?

    Can the defendant still Plea?

  33. justiceforall says:

    SUBPOENAS have been issued….. last call for a plea deal. Wonder if the perp will be smart enough to take it? If his supporter here are a testment to his innocence or intelegence he is in big big trouble.

  34. Bugsy says:

    Ragin,

    JustWait24 comments don’t evoke anything. It is just an illusion and conjecture of a wish that has been spread throughout the community.

    Remember your own words…. Let’s the courts decide…No one is the judge and jury on a web posting.

    So please wait for the REAL thing…..

  35. Bugsy says:

    BTW 24,

    Your mind is in the gutter. My reference to Wood was Firewood. All his alibi’s revolve around Firewood. Think about that one for a bit. You got an excuse for that?

  36. RaginCajun says:

    Just Wait’s comments are evoking additional consideration and thought. Well inserted points of interest Just Wait. Classic narcissistic behaviors “could” be lurking somewhere within this story line.

  37. Amoeba says:

    My final word on this pointless topic, viewing how his supporters seem to be fixating on where this girl goes to school, yes I’m sure she is making all this up just to get attention and to be a stranger in a foreign enviroment….every teenage girls dream! Reading how deluded you people are, failing to come to terms with the reality of your poor babies actions that led to this, it’s amusing to witness this desperate manic group mind set, and how clearly what is to the casual outside observer immorally motivated behavior being sanctioned and twisted into something noble and selfless.
    Oh, loved how one of you used the word “tattle” when addressing his reason for not informing her parents or proper health care counselors, that was priceless….and telling.

  38. Amoeba says:

    Pointless in that there is NO reason for him to be anywhere around her families property. His attorney probably has advised him as much. He seems to have an issue with following edicts imposed by the courts.These definitions are set in stone by the state legislature,not meant to be followed on a as one feels like it basis.
    If that were so he wouldn’t have picked up a new case in District Court as a result. Bottom line is the responding deputy and incident report can now be used in court against him…..y’know, “anything you say can and WILL be used AGAINST YOU in a Court of Law.

  39. JustWait24 says:

    Amoeba, how much did you mature from a kid to where you are now? Do you honestly believe that man hasn’t changed at all from the time you knew him as a kid? If he’s kept any pattern of behavior from when we was a kid I’d say it would be his kind heart and willingness to help people. That’s something you don’t grow out of, or grow into. It’s something a person just has. Which is what she took advantage of when she created this fairytale.

    Anyone can fabricate a sob story and be labeled a victim. I don’t understand how people, who have actually experienced horrific actions like she is constructing, can side with her when she has no idea of the pain, and suffering a TRUE victim had to endure. She doesn’t understand the physical pain, the mental fatigue of putting on a strong front or trying to not let people’s sympathetic looks show they affect you. Instead of trying to come to grips with this “horrific incident” that happen to her, she left town and found herself a boyfriend. After what she claims “happened” I can say, without a doubt, anyone else’s natural response would be to not venture out and find a boyfriend until they have mental and emotionally healed. Which would be years from now! She’s not being a very convincing “VICTIM” in my eyes.

    If it were up to me I’d say she has is self-centered. The whole world revolves around her now as everyone tells her how much they care for her and how they’re here for her if she needs them. She’s just taken details she was told of innocent girls truly living in hell she has taken and retold as her own.
    It’s sickening.

    And the argument of her current residence does matter because she doesn’t LIVE there so there was no violation of the order.

  40. JustWait24 says:

    Requirements for attending a school in the state of Washington a child must have a parent or guardian show proof of residence within the school’s boundaries. For transferring students the same applies: “Preference for enrollment in any particular school is given to students living in the school’s established attendance boundaries.” The only thing I can find that would even come close to an exception is “A district shall release a student to a nonresident district that agrees to accept the student if: (a) A financial, educational, safety, or health condition affecting the student would likely be reasonably improved as a result of the transfer…” (RCW 28A.225.200). But if they were worried about her ‘safety’ or even her ‘health condition’(as she reportedly inflicts damage upon herself) then why not just take her out of the town completely? Why would the school alone be the source of her ‘safety and health’ issue when maybe she doesn’t feel so secure at the house in Pe Ell? Why even bother to keep her associated with Pe Ell if moving her to another school is supposedly “helping her”.
    She can be an ‘out of district student’ meaning that Pe Ell will get her attendance and grade point average to their credit as she attends another school(RCW 28A.225.240). She still can’t have an active residence +100 districts away from the school. Google ‘Out of District Students’ and read about how school all over the nation are trying to prevent them.

    Schools have stricter regulations on living locations than a place of employment.

    I’m not saying anyone is falsifying documents. I’m saying that when the order was put in place to stay away from her residence, Pe Ell was what the document referenced. She doesn’t live there anymore so that information on the document would have been incorrect.

    I think that in any court the losing party feels the justice system has failed them. But the truth will come out soon enough.

  41. RaginCajun says:

    “the pointless nonissue of where his VICTIM is attending school”

    seems hardly pointless if one can directly correlate it to her RESIDENCE, which is directly correlates to the RESTRAINING order that people are inferring as “violated”.

    If her residence is not the home he drove 80 feet from, and her home is “up North” …NOW we’re talking pointless.

  42. Amoeba says:

    I am not surprised his latest violation of court order and arrest and after the fact justifications are an exact mirror of what began this whole episode. First he did everything of his own free will,and supposedly he was acting to “rescue” some party from some dire strait only he alone could do. And his motivations were just misunderstood.
    Personally he is acting just like he did as a kid, testing to see how much he could get away with,then when caught,someone would be there to clear up his mess.
    A well ingrained pattern of behavior.Gotta love the pointless nonissue of where his VICTIM is attending school.However I’m sure that issue will factor in at his trial.And no I don’t believe he has any intentions of being in that court room should a sentencing hearing become a reality.

  43. scruffs says:

    Actually you both are wrong. Parents can request that the child be an “out of district student”. If they received permission from the Pe Ell School District she can still reside in Pe Ell and attend another school. Just because she stays at her relatives house Mon-Friday doesn’t mean she resides at that residence. Would be the same situation if you lived here, but worked 3 hours a way, shacking up with a relative on the weekdays.

    Get your facts straight before stating that someone is falsifying documents.

    The judge and jury will decide what’s wrong and what’s right. I am sure when it’s all said and done, guilty or not guilty, one of the parties will feel like the justice system failed them.

    Hope this ends soon for everyone involved.

  44. RaginCajun says:

    Bugs….Yes BIG dummy….if she lives in a “northern town” (we won’t say where) and goes to school there….she is FALSIFYING STATE RECORD if she has her resident as any other city. Perhaps you do not pay taxes? or understand the levy system by district?. I’m sure you would like to have your cake and eat it too, and who knows…maybe she can just pick a bunch of resident locations so Phelps will be set up everywhere!!

  45. JustWait24 says:

    Really?, I noticed they left that out in the article as well. It’s hard to make an informed decision when they leave stuff like that out….

    Bugsy, You’ve got to be kidding me. School’s don’t allow you “live” in another city and still attend their institution. Look it up, it’s something poor individuals have been trying to get away with for years now as they try to get their children a better education at a higher class school. Off topic but schools wouldn’t allow it. You need to reside within a school’s districts to attend, it’s a legal issue, that’s why she is LIVING with her Aunt. If that weren’t the case I’m sure their are closer options between Pe Ell and where she is now.
    If he passed by 3 times when she was home why was she not in school up north like she should? He has been informed, by multiple sources, that she VISITS her parents on weekends as to avoid situations like this. It can’t be asked that a sign be put out for when she’s there. She left Pe Ell, moved, changed school, that isn’t her home any more. And I’m sure the 3 times he passed by her home he was with someone-like his Wife? It’s not something that he sits and thinks “hey, I’m going to drive by her house just because they told me not to.” It’s not a malicious act, it’s not something that is done to cause distress, he took the long way to avoid the parents’ house. The house itself sits over 100 yards away from that road, the property line doesn’t. And there was a MOTION, a REQUEST, to revoke the conditions of release pending trial- not something that happened. If you know what happened during that appearance you’d know that the judge let him go home that day because he was not in the wrong. If he was in the wrong he would have been held in contempt of court.
    And that comment is just tacky and uncalled for. But because you’ve decided we’d take it there I’m positive the only wood he has delivered in the past 27 years has been to his wife. After almost 30 years of marriage, and two beautiful daughters later, I would be hard pressed to believe he would have eyes for anyone else.
    When someone threatens to cause themselves greater harm, or death, I would hesitate to tattle as well. Especially when you could see the dark clouds that followed her around leave when she was in the presence of the Phelps family. What he was doing, not what she is claiming or his is accused of, but actually providing for that little girl was another place to call home. Another family where she wasn’t just the middle child.
    It makes me ill that this “particularly vulnerable victim” is claiming this happened when all Todd AND HIS FAMILY did was accept her as their own daughter making her get school work done and play softball…

  46. Bugsy says:

    Just Wait,

    You got to be kidding me! Since she attends school in another city that makes her residence a different address? She is a minor and her HOME is with her parents at the address that Mr Phelps continues to drive by.

    Isn’t it ironic that he has passed by 3 times when the girl was home?

    Do you think that the sherriff would have measured if the order was not valid? Do you think that Superior court would have noted the revocation of bail if he hadn’t violated the order? Look it up, the link is to the right.

    Delivering wood seems to be his alibi for everything.

    One last note. Why didn’t he CALL THE PARENTS when the girl threatened to harm herself. Why didn’t he do the proper protocol that is expected from those in a position of trust.

  47. Really? says:

    Just Wait – thanks for the clarification on where the girl is living. I must have missed that from skimming the articles. It DOES shed a different light if the girl is not living in that home.

  48. JustWait24 says:

    Amoeba, if you think he will abscond at any point then you really don’t know anything about the man you are continuously condemning.
    As I referred to earlier, people inserting themselves into his business when they have no right to be there in the first place.

  49. JustWait24 says:

    The only think I can speculate for them measuring is because that is the home where they decreed as her “current residence” at the time the order was issued. She moved, and changed schools(somewhere up north) therefore that cannot be her “current resident” as she is outside her current school’s authority and will be expelled for lying about where she lives.

    First – He did take the ‘alternate’ route which is still right next to their house, but has a sharp corner on it. Even with a trailer he took this route to avoid her house.
    Second – No he did not. He was getting his trailer from his brother’s house so they could deliver firewood to a family that uses it as their only form of heat. Driving past her house just do drive by is a waste of gas and to anyone with a brain, pointless.
    Third – How was that two? I heard the first one was because she was texting him about wanting to harm herself and if you know this man you know that he would not just sit back and let someone harm themselves, let alone take their own life. And in the most recent instance, a family with children to go cold as winter isn’t quite over yet.
    Fourth – The protection order states HER Current Residence. I’m sorry, but coming to visit your family on weekends does not mean that is your Current Residence.
    Fifth – What pattern behavior shows disregard for the law? All I’m seeing is this man keep getting smacked down for trying to help people in need; and other people are inserting themselves into his business when they have no right to be there in the first place.

  50. Amoeba says:

    Sorry, I meant he picked up a new charge in DISTRCT Court not Municipal. Shame, his brother couldn’t bring the trailor to him,seems an obvious solution.
    I’m not going to be suprised if he attempts at some point to abscond.